Marines Accused Of Proselytizing For Christianity In Iraq
30 May 2008 by Stardust
As one commenter put it, “This is just another example of the creeping sectarian fundamentalism that is taking over our supposedly nonsectarian, nonpartisan, US military.”
Controversial Coin: Marines Accused Of Proselytizing For Christianity In Iraq
According to reporters Jamal Naji and Leila Fadel, residents of the Iraqi city of Fallujah say Marines are distributing coins that urge conversion to Christianity.
On one side, the coin asks, “Where will you spend eternity?” On the other side, it says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16.”
The overwhelmingly Islamic population is predictably outraged. According to McClatchy, a Sunni religious leader in Fallujah is demanding that the Marines discontinue the practice.
“We say to the occupiers to stop this,” said Sheikh Mohammed Amin Abdel Hadi. “This can cause strife between the Iraqis and especially between Muslim and Christians . … Please stop these things and leave our homes because we are Muslims and we live in our homes in peace with other religions.”
The newspaper chain says American military leaders are looking into the allegations.
“Multi-National Force-Iraq is investigating a report that U.S. military personnel in Fallujah handed out material that is religious and evangelical in nature,” Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll said. “Local commanders are investigating since the military prohibits proselytizing any religion, faith or practices.”
Military officials should move quickly. The War in Iraq has been a disaster on many levels. If it comes to be seen as a resumption of the Christian Crusades, things can only get worse.
30 May 2008, on 7:52 am
Just what we need. Armed proselytizers with shiny, metallic Chick tracts.
“We don’t get no carbombs in Kentucky.
And Shi’ites is few and far between.
Diplomacy means graduating high school and
a firefight’s when we pass around Jim Beam…”
-Laurence X Tarpey
30 May 2008, on 12:41 pm
Heh…I bet they wouldn’t try something like that in Israel. Print ‘em up in Chinese and pass them out at the Olympics, I’m sure they’d go over well.
Oh, wait, we don’t militarily occupy those countries, never mind.
The cross and the sword are fellow travelers yet again.
I read somewhere else that the coins were silver; if they’re real silver and not just silver in color, shit, I’d melt them down and sell off the metal, if I were Iraqi. If it was some other kind of metal, I’d see if they could be refashioned into usable bullets.
30 May 2008, on 12:48 pm
“If it comes to be seen as a resumption of the Christian Crusades, things can only get worse.”
Too late for that. I travel to the middle east for work and many of the Muslims I deal with see it that way right now. The hard core Christian infiltration of the military is a huge issue that won’t be on the American radar until its too late.
30 May 2008, on 1:37 pm
These marines should really use this opportunity to make some money instead.
On one side of the coin: “Where will you spend eternity?”
On the other: “Why not spend it at Ragin; Larry’s All-You-Can Eat 24-Hour Cajun Shrimp Buffet!!!!!”
‘Cuz, come on, that where I’d want to spend eternity.
30 May 2008, on 5:47 pm
Ryan, I was thinking more along the lines of the world famous Mustang Ranch out Nevada way.
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30 May 2008, on 9:09 pm
As someone on fstdt.com pointed out, if John 3:16 appears on one side of the coin, it must be a rather large coin. And if the message is in English it’s unlikely to be widely disseminated.
30 May 2008, on 11:17 pm
RDZ
Sorry to break the news to ya man, But Mustang Ranch is no more. Some IRS action and all. But on the brighter side I think I may have stumbled on to some of your kin. Go here to Lagunitas brewery. They brew a mean beer and talk just like you write. Check out the eyeball trilogy. http://www.lagunitas.com/stories/index.asp